The Power of Holding Space in Somatic Coaching Sessions

What does it mean to “hold space”? And what does it look and feel like in a somatic coaching session?

One of the most important skills I cultivate as a somatic practitioner is the ability to hold space for my clients. “Holding space” is a phrase that has gained recent popularity on social media, especially after the viral moment in 2024 when the internet collectively “held space” for the lyrics of “Defying Gravity” from Wicked. But what does holding space actually look and feel like in a somatic coaching session?

What Does It Mean to Hold Space?

For me, holding space means creating a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where someone feels seen, heard, and accepted exactly as they are. It’s the foundation of every somatic session. Holding space effectively and compassionately fosters trust and connection. In a session it looks like deep listening, gentle curiosity, and attunement to my clients’ energy and needs. For clients it feels like safety, spaciousness, and permission to share and explore emotions and sensations without judgement, pressure, or expectation.

Why Feeling Held Matters for Healing

When we feel energetically held by a supportive practitioner, our nervous system can begin to relax into a sense of safety. The absence of judgment, shame, and unsolicited advice allows us to connect with our inner experiences—emotions, sensations, and thoughts—so we can process and integrate them in a way that feels safe and healing.

How Judgment Can Shut Us Down

Imagine a scenario where you share a vulnerable experience, and the person you’re speaking with responds with criticism or an assumption about how you should feel. You might suddenly feel a wave of shame or anger, which makes it harder to process your original emotions. The response you receive in a moment of openness can shape not just that conversation, but also your willingness to be vulnerable in the future.

We’ve all experienced something similar in personal relationships—perhaps a time when we opened up to someone we trusted, only to be met with judgment, advice, or dismissal. In those moments, we may unconsciously put up emotional walls to protect ourselves. But in a space that is truly held with care, those walls don’t need to go up. We can stay present with what’s arising and move through it rather than shutting down.

Creating Space for Openness and Connection

I’d love to share some of the key elements of holding space that I bring to my somatic coaching sessions. You might find these helpful in your own relationships, too.

Listen with curiosity

As humans, we carry our cultural influences, past experiences, and the emotional imprints of our relationships within us. It’s natural for these to shape our reactions to others. When someone shares their experience, we can practice noticing whether our thoughts lean toward judgment or curiosity. A judgmental thought might sound like, Ugh, why did he do that? or She handled that all wrong. A curious thought, on the other hand, might sound like, I wonder what led him to that choice? or I wonder how she felt in that moment? If curiosity arises, we can then decide whether to keep the thought to ourselves or gently ask a question that invites more sharing.

Listen with humility

Holding space means recognizing that the story being shared belongs to the other person. Their experiences, beliefs, and values may be different from ours. It’s important to set aside our own desires for how we think they should navigate their situation. Instead of offering unsolicited advice, we can focus on simply being present and supportive.

Listen with courage

Holding space means stepping into the unknown with someone. Strong emotions may surface, and we might not always know the “right” thing to say. That’s okay. Listening with courage means staying present even when there’s discomfort, trusting that our presence—more than perfect words—is what truly supports the other person. Compassion, kindness, and a willingness to simply be with someone in their experience can be deeply healing.

With Care,
Lindsay

My understanding of holding space has been deeply enriched by The Art of Holding Space master workshop led by Heather Plett. While the thoughts I’ve shared here come from my own experience as a somatic coach, Heather’s teachings have influenced my approach in meaningful ways. If you’re interested in exploring this topic further, I highly recommend her book, The Art of Holding Space: A Practice of Love, Liberation, and Leadership. It’s a wonderful resource for anyone looking to deepen their ability to support others with presence, compassion, and authenticity.

If you’re curious about somatic practices and want to experience firsthand how I hold space in somatic coaching sessions, I invite you to schedule a free Discovery Call with me. It’s an opportunity for us to connect, answer any questions you have, and see if working together feels right for you.

Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.